Home|Sports|Golf gets underway at Bahamas GamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 13, 2023 65 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The golf portion of the sixth Bahamas Games got underway yesterday at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island and the Andros Chickcharnies are leading the way.

The Chichcharnies ended the first of three rounds with a score of 186 Stableford points. Sitting in a close second is the Grand Bahama Lucayans with 183 points. Sitting one point behind the Lucayans is the New Providence Buccaneers with 182 points.

In the senior men’s division, the Chickcharnies lead with 54 points after the first round. Richard Gibson and Kelsey Rolle represented the Chickcharnies and Gibson scored 54 Stableford points as he had six birdies and six bogeys.

The Abaco Survivors and the Lucayans are tied for second in that division with 48 points.

The senior ladies division had a very strong showing from the Lucayans as they lead with 39 points. That team includes Michelean Poitier and Nordaina Martin. Poitier scored 39 points for the team.

The Buccaneers sit 14 points behind the Lucayans with 25 points and the Long Island Sheep Runners are a close third with 24 points.

In the junior boys division, the Lucayans lead the way with 53 Stableford points. The team is represented by Atrian Stan-Busuioc and Tomeco Knowles. Stan-Busuioc had a good showing, coming away with three birdies.

The Eleuthera Adventurers are second with 47 points and the Buccaneers are right behind them with 46 points for third.

In the final division, the junior girls division, the Buccaneers lead the way with 51 points. Tyesha Tynes is the only player for the Buccaneers. She finished with five birdies and four bogeys.

The Chickcharnies are second in that division with 46 points. The MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay) Flamingos are third with 41 points.

The standings can shake up with two more rounds remaining. The second round gets underway at 10 a.m. today at the Ocean Club Golf Course.

In each case, the highest aggregate points over the competition will determine the winning team.

In the Stableford scoring system, a double bogey is one point, a bogey is two points, a par shot is three points, a birdie is four points, and eagle is five points, a double eagle is six points, a triple eagle or better is seven points and a hole in one is eight points.

Action continues today.

 Home|Sports|New Providence beats Grand Bahama in women’s basketballSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 13, 2023 46 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

As the sixth Bahamas Games moved into day six, basketball was one of those sports that took center stage and what was billed to be a marquee matchup between two gold medal contenders in the women’s category turned out to be a battle of the fittest.

Both the New Providence Buccaneers and the Grand Bahama Lucayans had experienced one loss coming into their featured matchup yesterday. So, for seeding purposes, both teams desperately needed a win. It would be New Providence who would pull away in the second half, recording a much needed 54-45 win over the visiting Grand Bahamian squad on Wednesday at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The Buccaneers improved to a 2-1 win/loss record with the win while the Lucayans dropped to 1-2.

The gold medal favorite New Providence team took charge early as Grand Bahama came out with no sense of urgency. They looked lackadaisical in the early going and struggled against the Buccaneers’ size on the inside and their zone defense. New Providence went ahead, 9-2, early on. They surged to a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter but Grand Bahama woke up in the second quarter.

Grand Bahama went on a 12-4 scoring run to open the second quarter to pull even at 19. They maintained that momentum for the rest of the quarter, pulling ahead 28-25 at the half. In total, Grand Bahama outscored New Providence by 11 in the second quarter, 21-10.

“I don’t know what happened in that second quarter, but that wasn’t our style of basketball,” said New Providence Head Coach Donillo “Donnie” Culmer. “We were off for most of the first half, but it came together in the third quarter. As the tournament goes on, we will continue to progress and we’ll be alright. We came here to get the gold and that is what we intend to do.”

The Buccaneers’ defense was ferocious in the third quarter, holding a bewildered Grand Bahamian team to just two points. They outscored Grand Bahama, 20-2, in the third to take a commanding 45-30 lead going into the fourth and final period. From there, the Lucayans got no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Prior to the game, New Providence suffered its only loss to the Exuma & Ragged Island Navigators while Grand Bahama had experienced their only setback to the Eleuthera Adventurers.

“We just have to play our type of basketball,” said Culmer. “In that loss to Exuma, we had a 12-point lead and we just ran out of gas. We’ll see them again and we’ll be ready for them, whether it’s elimination or the championship. We’ll be ready to play,” he added.

As for Grand Bahama, they now have to fight themselves out of a hole, looking to make the top four to advance to the tournament semifinals. They defeated the Columbus Isles Arawaks (Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador) and lost to New Providence and Eleuthera.

“We played okay… it’s just that we couldn’t put things together down the stretch,” said Grand Bahama’s Head Coach Audley Dean. “A lot of things played a factor in the performance today. We just have to come out here, regroup, and get back to playing our style of basketball. Once we do that, we’ll be okay.”

A trio of players scored in double figures for New Providence. Philicia Kelly led them with 12 points and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Michelle Butler dropped in 11 points and pulled down four rebounds. Antonicia Moultrie contributed 10 points and added eight rebounds.

Arjene Stubbs and Arlia Greene led Grand Bahama with 11 points apiece.

New Providence outscored Grand Bahama, 23-8, in fastbreak points and outrebounded them, 48-37. Both teams shot the ball poorly from the field with New Providence going 14-for-44 for 31.8 percent shooting while Grand Bahama connected on just 15 out of 63 shots for 23.8 percent shooting. They were both woeful from three-point range. New Providence was 0-for-8 from distance while Grand Bahama hit just two of their 18 attempts.

“For now, it’s just good to be on the court – get the girls out there and let them get some work in,” said Grand Bahama Head Coach Dean. “We’ll improve as the tournament goes along, and at the end of the day, hopefully we could be one of the last teams standing. Right now, they are just trying to compete to the best of their ability. We have to take it one day at a time and get out there and do what we do best.”

In other ladies basketball games yesterday, Exuma & Ragged Island turned back Eleuthera in a matchup of unbeaten teams, 48-38, New Providence beat the Abaco Survivors, 50-41, Eleuthera beat Grand Bahama, 51-45, and Abaco defeated Columbus Isles, 62-47.

In men’s games on Wednesday, the Andros Chiccharnies defeated Exuma & Ragged Island, 63-60, the MICAL Flamingoes (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay) defeated the Long Island Sheep Runners, 85-72, Grand Bahama knocked off Exuma & Ragged Island, 57-46, New Providence blasted Long Island, 109-37, the Bimini and Berry Islands Marlins beat Andros, 48-37, Abaco slammed Columbus Isles, 74-52, and Eleuthera beat Bimini and Berry Islands, 76-50.

Action continues today in men and women’s basketball. Athletics and boxing will get underway today, and optimist sailing will be the final discipline to get started, set to commence on Friday.

The Golden Jubilee Bahamas Games got underway last Friday and will wrap up this coming Saturday. Following the final event in athletics on Saturday, the open men’s 4×400 meters (m) relay, a brief closing ceremony will be held at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

The games are back in action after a 22-year break.

Prime Minister Philip Davis presents medals at Andre Rodgers stadium

GOLDEN MOMENT: New Providence Buccaneers get their baseball gold medals from Prime Minister Philip Davis at the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games last night.

As of Wednesday, July 12, 2023

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Eleuthera Adventurers with their silver medals.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#The New Providence Buccaneers, behind the battery mate of pitcher Chad McKenzie and catcher Roberto

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis presents baseball’s MVP award to New Providence catcher Roberto Lamour.

#Lamour, shut out the Eleuthera Adventurers 4-0 to win the sixth Bahamas Games baseball title.

#Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was on hand last night at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium to present the gold and silver medals to the Buccaneers and the Adventurers as baseball closed out its five days of competition.

#McKenzie, back home from Ventura College in California, pitched in his second game for New Providence in the tournament.

#But the southpaw saved his best for last, firing a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and giving up just one walk.

#“I’m just glad to be able to come back and support my team. It was a lot of fun playing for the first time in the Bahamas,” said McKenzie, who came in from Louisiana where he is currently training.

#“In the second inning, my arm was really happy, but all I asked God for was to give me one more and every time I stepped out, I kept saying Lord give me one more. He gave me my gift.”

#While McKenzie was the winning pitcher, Lamour was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

#The 18-year-old graduate of Nassau Christian Academy was shocked when he heard his name called. “It feels good. A lot of work came with this,” he said.

#“I was surprised. I knew I played awesome in the first two games, but the last two games I was off with my offence, but the defence came through.

#“I was a little surprised when I won it because we had an awesome team with a lot of talent.

#“Anyone of us could have gotten it. I’m just glad that I got it.”

#Lamour, first baseman Tate Isaacs, centre fielder Andre Arthur and designated hitter/first baseman Malik Foster all scored a run for New Providence against Eleuthera’s losing pitcher Norman Bastian III, who gave up two hits with nine strike outs, three walks, a hit by pitch and a wild pitch.

#Scoreless after two innings, New Providence got on the scoreboard with a run in the third, added another in the fourth and put two more up for good measure in the fifth.

#Shortstop Frankie Mooreen got the lone hit for the Adventurers.

#Buccaneers manager Clarence ‘CJ’ McKenzie said it was a great feeling, not only winning the title, but taking it from Grand Bahama, who won it the last time the games was staged in 2001.

#“We knew from the beginning that we had put together a team that would have been able to take us right to the championship,” said McKenzie, who was assisted by coaches Jeff ‘Sangy’ Francis and Kevin Moxey.

#“I’m glad to see us do it. We had some close games. Andros gave us a scare and Eleuthera were tough both days. We’re just glad to be the champions.”

#Eleuthera’s manager Elline Sineus said he felt his team from Eleuthera played exceptionally well.

#“We made some crucial mistakes in this game, but coming from Eleuthera as the underdogs, a lot of people didn’t expect us to make it this far,” he said.

#“But we have a growing programme in Eleuthera, so to come this far is very encouraging.”

#Despite the loss, Sineus said the players will use this as a learning experience and will get better so that they can be better prepared when they come back to play under the bright lights in the stadium.

#The Adventurers were coming off a huge 3-1 victory over the Columbus Isles Arawaks to advance to the final. With the loss, the Arawaks had to settle for the bronze.

#In their game, Tyler Nairn got the win on the mound over Farron Edgecombe. Centre fielder Joel Miller went 2-for-2 with a RBI and a pair of runs scored. Catcher/first baseman Avard Bethel cored the other run.

#Centre fielder Nijai Armbrister was 1-for-2 and catcher Rashad Martin was 1-for-3 in the loss for Columbus Iles.

#The Arawaks were coming off their elimination game earlier in the day when they disposed of the Grand Bahama Lucayans with a 4-1 victory. Davante Brown went the distance for the win on a three-hitter with five strikeouts, four walks and a hit by pitch.

#First baseman Junnel Bain went 1-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored; Stefan McKenzie was also 1-for-4 with a run scored and Nijai Armbrister was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

#Courtney Meadows suffered the loss for Grand Bahama, who was led by right fielder Ashley Poitier’s 1-for-3 day with a run scored and designated player Trent Thomas, who was 1-for-2 with a RBI.

#Many questioned why Grand Bahama had to play more games than the other islands. But, according to tournament director Teddy Sweeting, it was a format that was set up and agreed to by all of the teams during the technical meeting.

GB Lucayans win silver, Eleuthera Adventurers take home bronze

Andros Chickarnies get their gold medals in tennis.

As of Wednesday, July 12, 2023

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Sydney Clarke and Denali Nottage collect their most outstanding awards in tennis.

Grand Bahama with runners-up trophy and silver medal.

Eleuthera Adventurers with their bronze medals.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH an ace down the sideline, Jacobi Bain, teaming up with fellow collegian Sydney Clarke, pulled off an 11-9 victory yesterday in the mixed doubles to seal a 4-3 win for the Andros Chickcharnies over the Grand Bahama Lucayans.

#As tennis concluded yesterday in the sixth Bahamas Games at the National Tennis Centre, the mixed doubles broke a 3-3 tie in the men and women singles, boys and girls singles and the men and women doubles in the tie.

#Bain and Clarke put the explanation mark on the gold medal for Andros with their victory over Larikah Russell and Denali Nottage from Grand Bahama.

#“I was just saying, Lord help me to make it a good one,” Bain said. “If it was close, I wanted to be in the position to serve and when it was my turn, I just hit it tight on the line.

#“I was going playing doubles in the tournament, so I really wanted to help my team win.”

#Although she won in doubles, Clarke also helped to win in singles and she earned the female most outstanding player award for the games. The men’s award went to Grand Bahama’s Denali Nottage.

#Grand Bahama’s head coach Danny Rigby said it was a very competitive match, but they just fell short.

#“We had a few close calls and we will get those calls because it’s tennis,” he said. “It will go against you some times and today was the day that it went against us. But it was a good, competitive match.”

#Russell agreed with Rigby. “I’m very impressed with the way the whole team played. It came down to the decider in the mixed doubles, which was very competitive with some amazing points,” she said. “But I think we competed extremely well. We fell short, but I was very happy with our performances.’

#Russell and another veteran player Simone Pratt forced the tie breaker for the Lucayans by taking the women’s doubles in set scores of 6-3, 6-1 over the youthful sister combo of Sidney and Sarai Clarke.

#That came after a thrilling finish in the men’s doubles where the Andros duo of Jacobi Bain and Philip Major Jr pulled off a dramatic 6-7 (3), 7-5, 11-9 win over brothers Rasheed and Rodney Carey Jr.

#Denali Nottage got the Lucayans up and running with a 6-1, 6-1 win in the men’s singles. But the Chickcharnies responded by taking the boys singles 6-3, 6-2 over Aiden Ritchie and Sydney Clarke got the women’s singles 6-0, 6-4 over Simone Pratt.

#Grand Bahama came back and won the girls singles 6-4, 6-3 over Saraai Clarke.

#Looking back at the performances of the team, Chickcharnies coach Bradley Bain said they had an awesome crew that represented Andros.

#“This team came through and delivered in every way possible,” he said. “We competed every day and the results speaks for itself. We played Grand Bahama and it went down to the wire.

#“It so happens that I used two players who started training with me at ages six and seven. That was Jacobi and Sydney. I put them together in the mixed doubles and they delivered.”

#The Eleuthera Adventurers had to settle for the bronze medal, but head coach Artie Johnson said it was well deserved after they got by the Long Island Sheep Runners 4-2.

#“The team performed well. I appreciate all of the players and the coaches,” said Johnson, who is now preparing to pass on the baton to coaches such as Juanita Percentie, Albert McKinney and Chris Evans.

#“The players, Kevin Major Jr, Zander Cromwell, Ayai Bethel, Elana Mackey, Felicity McPhee and Kaylee Kanuka, they all did a fantastic job.

#“All praise go to God, but I want to thank all of the players for a wonderful job.”

#Johnson said they had a true representation of Eleuthera with players from Spanish Wells, two from Harbour Island, two from Central and one all the way from South.

#So Eleuthera is well represented.”

#The Adventurers, in their win over the Sheep Runners, won the men’s singles 6-1, 6-0 over Anthony Burrows Jr; Elana Mackey def. Genesis Missick 6-0, 6-0 in the women’s singles; Zander Cromwell and Kevin Major Jr teamed up to win the men’s doubles 6-1, 6-1 and Kaylee Kanuka and Elana Mackey won the women’s doubles 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 over Sapphire Ferguson and Genesis Missick.

#But Long Island took the boys singles as Synaj Watkins won 3-6, 6-4, 10-8 over Ayai Bethel and BreAnn Ferguson took the girls singles by walkover against Felicity McPhee. The New Providence Buccaneers had to settle for fifth place with a 4-0 win over the Abaco Survivors.

#Justin Lunn took the men’s singles 6-0, 6-0 over Shawn Lightbourne; Miguel Smith def. Latahj Orlando 6-1, 6-2 in the boys singles; Sierra Rodgers def. Cameel McDonald 6-3, 6-1 in the women’s singles and Aryuana Davis got by Kelecia Parkes 7-6 (4), 6-1 in the girls singles.

#By virtue of sweeping the four singles, none of the doubles matches had to be played.

SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Women of Columbus Isles Arawaks and Abaco Survivors show a strong display of unity and camaraderie during the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games last night. Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

As of Wednesday, July 12, 2023

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SECURING THE GOLD: The women of the Columbus Isles Arawaks defeated New Providence Buccaneers to win the gold medal in volleyball.

TEAM EFFORT: The women of the Columbus Isles Arawaks battled hard against the Abaco Survivors.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE women of the Columbus Isles Arawaks and the New Providence Buccaneers men’s team captured the gold medals for volleyball last night at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

#With more than 60 volleyball matches played since the beginning of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games last week Friday, both teams were eager to win the gold. The Buccaneers team settled for silver in the women’s division and the Arawaks finished with silver in the men’s division.

#GOLD

#The Lady Arawaks outlasted the Buccaneers to secure gold in a gruelling best-of-five sets matchup. The Buccaneers appeared to have the edge after winning the first set 25-18.

#However, the Arawaks stuck with their game plan and upped the intensity in the second set, claiming the win 25-12. With New Providence now feeling the pressure, the Arawaks snatched sets three and four 25-19, 25-15 to be named the overall winners for the women’s division.

#Laval Sands, team captain of the Arawaks, talked about the big win.

#“The win feels great [with] the Bahamas Games coming back 21 years later. I knew that I played in the last Bahamas Games so coming back feels great,” Sands said.

#Despite the expectation that the Buccaneers would win and an injury to one of the team’s star players early in the tournament, Sands said the key to the big win was in-game service and communication.

#In the marquee match of the day, the men got the job done for New Providence. Although the home team would have liked to sweep the gold medal matches, the Buccaneers sealed the deal against the Arawaks in three sets. The Buccaneers opened strong in the initial set, winning 24-14. The team held onto the momentum from set one and bested the Arawaks in set two 25-17. In a wire-to-wire final set, New Providence not only seized the moment but also the gold medal win for the men’s division after ending 25-21.

#BRONZE

#The Survivors secured bronze for Abaco after downing the Lucayans in three tightly contested sets. In the opening set, the Survivors snuck past the Lucayans 25-23.

#However, in set two, the Lucayans lost a step and fell once again to the Survivors 25-13. In the final set, both teams were locked in but the Survivors had another gear and finished third in the women’s division after winning 26-24.

#Renaldo Knowles, head coach of the Survivors, talked about the competitive win for bronze.

#“I am glad we came out with the win. It was a struggle because most of my players were injured so I had to move some people around to try and make it work, but everyone stepped up and played well,” Knowles said.

#With the slogan for the sixth edition of The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games being “Our Nation. Our Islands. Our Games”, one of the most important aspects for the return has been the camaraderie and unity among players from the islands of The Bahamas. Head coach Knowles talked about this side of the Bahamian Olympic-style games. “I am glad the Bahamas Games is back because the last 22 years we did not have one. I played in the last one so it’s good to see all the athletes in the sports back on the island, young people playing home [and] everybody can see their families,” He added.

#The Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay (MICAL) Flamingos cleared the men Lucayans in three sets.

#In the initial set, both teams brought the competitive spirit but the Flamingos came away with the win 27-25. The Flamingos collected another win in the following set 25-19.

#In the third set of the trio, the Flamingos wrapped up the Lucayans 25-21 to claim bronze in the best-of-five series.

#Lahaundro Thompson, team captain of the Flamingos, said the win felt good as they played an exceptional game to come out on top. Thompson added that their game plan was simple: get the ball to the team’s big hitters and let them finish the job.

SAILING FAMILY: Members of the Bahamas National Sailing School.

As of Wednesday, July 12, 2023

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LENDING A HAND: Deltec Bank and Trust Limited presented a cheque donation of $30,000 to The Bahamas National Sailing School yesterday at the Nassau Yacht Club.

#By LEESHAN MORLEY

#Tribune Intern

#DELTEC Bank and Trust presented a cheque of $30,000 to the Bahamas National Sailing School for their camp and new sailing boats.

#Deltec Bank is led by Odetta Morton, who also serves as director and CEO. During the course of 18 years, she has played a crucial role in Deltec’s expansion and progress.

#In 2003, Odetta became a part of Deltec Bank Team. During her career, Odetta has played a pivotal role in advancing the bank’s objectives, developing interactions with partners and individuals, and establishing new options and wider marketing networks for international clients while expanding market sectors. She received promotions in 2014 to chief financial officer and chief executive officer in 2019.

#Morton graciously presented the cheque and also shared her company’s motive behind the presentation. “Deltec has always been supportive of youth in The Bahamas. With the 50th anniversary of Independence of the Bahamas, we really wanted to support the sailing community as the national sport of The Bahamas, and we are really excited that we can contribute to the youth in this way.”

#Lori Lowe, president of the Bahamas Sailing Association, received the cheque along with one of the junior sailors. Lowe spoke on the initiatives they wish to achieve with the donation. “We like to hope with their funds, and with the assistance of our government having made sailing the national sport, that we can take our programmes to the next level and help a lot more Bahamian sailors from all walks of life.”

#Craig Ferguson, one of the top junior sailors, was able to describe his experience in the club over the years and his passion for sailing. “Sailing means a lot to me because it helps you learn a lot of self-qualities like being able to speak in public, self-governance, discipline, it builds a lot of self-character, and it’s a good sport because you make friends all over the world at a young age and you just have fun.”

#He further went on to say he felt the donation will benefit the club in so many ways. “The donation means a lot because sailing is a very expensive sport so everything costs money, all the parts of the boat, the boats themselves, the sails.

#“Especially how we live in The Bahamas, we have to ship most things so it means a lot and it is going to help us a lot.”

ON THE MOVE: On his tour of the various sporting disciplines on day one of The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg paid a visit to volleyball at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium. Photo: Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture- Department of Sports

As of Wednesday, July 12, 2023

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SHOWN, from left to right, Norris Bain, assistant director of sports, Harrison Thompson, chairman of the Games Secretariat, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Kelsie Johnson-Sills, the director of sports.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER watching the first five days of competition in the sixth Bahamas Games, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said he’s impressed by what he’s seen so far.

#And although they have been faced with some challenges, Rev Harrison Thompson, chairman of the Games Secretariat, said there were some issues they were faced with, but they are working through them.

#The games, making its return after a 21-year hiatus, got started on Friday, July 7 and will wrap up on Saturday, July 15.

#As of yesterday, some disciplines were already completed, some were in the process of winding down and the others were just getting started.

#“The crowd is beginning to swell at all of these facilities as we move towards the semifinals and finals of events still going on,” said Bowleg, as he and an entourage toured the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium for the completion of volleyball.

#“We are now starting softball and basketball, where some of the greatest rivalries take place with some of the Family Islands coming to compete for bragging rights.”

#On Monday, the sloop sailing competition wrapped up in Montagu Bay where Long Island dominated the competition. Grand Bahama, however, is leading in the gold medal rush on the chart overall, while New Providence has achieved the most medals.

#Bowleg said it’s still a long way to go to determine the overall champions for the games, which is a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the nation’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

#He said he was particularly pleased to see how the younger generation of athletes, who would have not had the pleasure of competing in the previous five games, are reacting.

#If it’s any indication, he noted that the games has served its purpose of uniting the country through sports. He anticipates that as the games wind down with competition in basketball, softball and track and field, that more Bahamians will come out and show their support for the nation’s top athletes.

#Thompson, in his capacity as the chairman of the Games Secretariat, said they encountered some challenges, but there was nothing that they couldn’t handle.

#“As we face them, we are overcoming them,” Thompson said. “Our theme says Challenges are Chances for the Courageous and because we are courageous, we will overcome any challenges.”

#With more athletes coming in from the Family Islands for the games than they had accounted for, Thompson said the Games Secretariat was challenged to find the additional accommodations for them.

#He also noted that they had to make some adjustments with Bahamasair in getting some of the athletes, especially out of Eleuthera, into the capital, but he noted that they have been able to sort things out.

#“We don’t want to disenfranchise any athlete, so we are trying to accommodate all of them,” Thompson said. “We are working through each challenge as we face them and we’re getting through them.

#“At the end of the day, we want to ensure that we put on the best games possible and that all of the athletes, the coaches, officials and the fans enjoy the Golden Jubilee Bahamas Games.”

CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE: The New Providence Lady Buccaneers shut down the Grand Bahama Lucayans 2-1 to claim gold in the soccer title match. Photo: MOYSC-Department of Sports

As of Tuesday, July 11, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The sixth edition of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games returned to New Providence this past Friday. Among the sporting disciplines to kick off the competition this weekend were volleyball, baseball, soccer, tennis, swimming, sailing, edukarting and cycling.

#Athletes from the 10 teams representing the islands of The Bahamas brought it to the courts, fields, roads and waters as the Olympic-style games got underway.

#SOCCER

#Soccer action got started at the Roscow A L Davies soccer field on the first day of The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games.

#The women of the New Providence Lady Buccaneers were the first team to claim gold medal honours after defeating the Grand Bahama Lucayans 2-1 this past Sunday. The Lucayans opened the matchup determined to win as they were the first to score the initial point. However, the home team tied the game 1-l. Despite the Lucayans’ attempts to recover they were unable to and Buccaneers team captain Annisa Albury scored the tie breaking goal on a penalty kick.

#Samuel Thibaud, head coach of the New Providence Buccaneers, talked about the ladies’ win.

#“It was a good win, they scored first but I just told the young ladies to settle down, that’s just one goal, it’s just one half and we played possessions and just moved our way up the field and eventually we scored to equalize,” Thibaud said.

#He added that he was excited to see a lot of the older players come back and play. He said the veterans set the pace for the younger girls and they came out and showed their dedication.

#In Sunday’s two remaining matches the Abaco Survivors dropped the men’s Lucayans 1-0 after holding onto their halftime lead. Additionally, the Eleuthera Adventurers men’s team wrapped up the Exuma and Ragged Island Navigators 1-0.

#Yesterday was recognized as a rest day for soccer and the matchups will resume at 9am today between the Buccaneers and Navigators. Also, the Lucayans will face-off against the Adventurers.

#VOLLEYBALL

#The volleyball sporting discipline got off to a busy start at both the Kendal G L Isaacs and Anatol Rodgers gymnasiums. The games ran simultaneously between both locations featuring the ten teams representing the Bahama Islands.

#On Independence Day, the Long Island Sheep Runners dropped the Adventurers in two sets 25-16, 25-15.

#The Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay (MICAL) Flamingoes took down the Navigators in two tightly contested sets 25-23,25-22.

#In more action from the Anatol Rodgers gymnasium, the Lucayans overcame the Sheep Runners 25-22, 25-18.

#Meanwhile, the Columbus Isles Arawaks versus the Flamingoes game went to three sets. The Arawaks claimed set one 25-20. However, the Flamingoes tied the sets after winning 25-16. In the final set, the Arawaks concluded the match 15-6.

#The Lucayans emerged victorious over the Navigators in stiff competition across three sets. The Lucayans snuck away with set one 26-24. The Navigators climbed back in set two with 25-18. However, the Lucayans edged out their opponents 15-11 to close set three with a win.

#At the Kendal G L Isaacs gymnasium, the Adventurers fought hard against the Survivors in three sets. The Adventurers journeyed to a 25-14 win in the initial set. The Survivors bounced back in the following set 25-17. It came down to the wire for both teams in the final set but the Adventurers got the win 16-14.

#The Arawaks (men) claimed a comfortable win over the Andros Chiccharnies in two sets 25-12, 25-13.

#The Lady Lucayans toppled the Navigators 25-21 in a competitive first set. In the consecutive set, the Lucayans meant business winning 25-10.

#The men’s Chiccharnies this time came up short against the Survivors in two sets 25-15, 25-16.

#The Buccaneers (men) continued their dominance this time drubbing the Adventurers 25-10, 25-18.

#The women’s Survivors fell to the Arawaks in two sets. The initial set was a nail-biter between the women of both teams but the Arawaks claimed set one 27-26. They followed up the win with 25-18 in set two.

#After days of intense volleyball action, the championship game will begin at 2pm today at the Kendal G L Isaacs gymnasium.

#The remaining results from the previous days of competition between the sporting disciplines can be accessed via www.tribune242.com

THE Grand Bahama Lucayans, behind the top performance from Marvin Johnson, came and conquered the swimming competition at the sixth Bahamas Games.

As of Tuesday, July 11, 2023

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Marvin Johnson with his trophy.

DNDN McKenzie receives the girls’ best swimmer award from president Algernon Cargill and Georgette Albury from Bahamas Aquatics.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Grand Bahama Lucayans, behind the top performance from Marvin Johnson, came and conquered the swimming competition at the sixth Bahamas Games.

#With a strong showing from day one on Friday to the finale on Sunday, the Lucayans surged out front and held on for an impressive victory at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex with a total of 1,697 points ahead of arch rivals New Providence Buccaneers, who had to settle for second with 1,484.

#The Arawaks from Columbus Isles settled for third with 906.50, followed by the Andros Chickcharnies with 863; Long Island Sheep Runners with 580; Exuma & Rugged Island Navigators with 503.50; MICAL Flamingoes with 261.50; Eleuthera Adventurers with 127.50; Abaco Survivors with 38 and Bimini Marlins with 28.

#Grand Bahama also dominated the medal count with 62 gold, 38 silver and 31 bronze for a total of 131. New Providence had 30 gold, 48 silver and 34 bronze for their total of 112. The Arawaks got 15 gold, nine silver and 26 bronze for 50.

#Long Island picked up night gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze for 30; Bimini had three gold; MICAL had two gold, four silver and two bronze for eight; Exum and Ragged Island had one gold, five silver and nine bronze for 15 and Eleuthera had one bronze,

#Eva Russell, the head coach of the Lucayans, said she couldn’t be prouder of the team from Grand Bahama.

#“We came together and displayed the quality of the team from Grand Bahama,” she said. “So I’m very proud of the way they competed together. We just came out of the Nationals and they were still able to produce some quality performances.”

#Russell said the 40-member team from Grand Bahama “rocked the house,”

#One of their stars was Marvin Johnson, who carted off the boys’ most outstanding swimming performance of the meet, based on points accumulated. He scored a total of 73 points to nip New Providence’s Trace Russell and Columbus Isles’ David Singh, who both had 71 points.

#“It’s good. Being able to represent Grand Bahama is a little more special because it’s my hometown,” said Johnson. “I usually represent the Bahamas, but to actually represent Grand Bahama is a lot of fun.”

#Johnson, a 17-year-old attending McCallie Boarding School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, said he didn’t know that he was in contention for the award. He said he simply wanted to go out and score as many points as he could for the Lucayans. The award was the icing on the cake.

#“There were guys whom I competed in on the national tram, so it was a lot of fun competing against them as we represented the different islands,” he said. “It was some stiff competition and I had a lot of fun competing in my first Bahamas Games.”

#Also making her debut in the games, which returns after a 21-year hiatus, was DNDN McKenzie, who won the girls most outstanding award with 67 points. She also beat out a strong field that saw her Buccaneers’ team-mates Taylen Nicholls and Trinity Pratt finish with 63 and 61 points respectively.

#“I feel so honored. I’m surprised I even got this. I was surprised,” said McKenzie, a 12-year-old student preparing for grade eight at St Anne’s School. “I was going to walk out and then I heard my name. I’m so happy.

#“Everybody told them that I got this award. I was so shocked.”

#McKenzie, however, said she was delighted to compete in her first Bahamas Games as she went all out with her performances, lowering her personal best times in some of the events she competed in.

#Although her performance, along with that of Nicholls and Pratt to propel Grand Bahama over the top, coach Travano McPhee said he felt Team New Providence gave it their best shot.

#“I think the draft was a little more relaxed this year, which didn’t benefit New Providence too much,” Mcphee said. “A lot of swimmers from New Providence took advantage of the opportunity to compete for another island.

#“But it was good competition. Congratulations to Grand Bahama. They had a full tram. This time of the year, the swimmers are now in off season after the nationals, so it was good to see how well they performed in the meet.”

#McPhee, who swam in the last games in 2001 and is now coaching with his daughter competing, said it was good to see the games back. He noted that a lot of the swimmers were asking a lot of questions about the meet. He said he just hopes that it can continue so the swimmers can have another major national event to compete in.

#Bahamas Aquatics president Algernon Cargill said they ensured that the meet was well organized and on time.

#“While we take nothing away from Team Grand Bahama because they brought some quality performers to the meet, I was happy to see Nigel Forbes turned in some best swims, which showed that the swimmers were serious about competing in the games.”

#The games also served as a qualifier for the 2024 CARIFTA Games that will be hosted at the same venue during the Easter holiday weekend. Swimmers got their first chance to attain the standards.

#Cargill, however, noted that Bahamas Aquatics will now swift its attention to the 20th World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan from July 14-30 where a four-member team that include Lamar Taylor, Davante Carey, Rhanishka Gibbs and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson will represent the Bahamas, followed by the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile from October 20 to November 7.

Road race segment of cycling competition complete

As of Tuesday, July 11, 2023

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SHOWN, from left to right, are Kevin Daley, Jay Major and Chris Curry after the men’s road race.

A NUMBER of women competed in the cycling segment of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games.

Top junior cyclists, from left to right, are Taylor Knowles, Kami Roach and Launy Duncombe.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#JAY Major surged ahead in the sprint to secure the New Providence Buccaneers only win in the cycling competition as the road race completed their segment of the sixth Bahamas Games.

#In a gruelling finish to the line on the course in the loop around the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center, Major took the tape in one hour and 25.24 seconds, holding off Andros Chickcharnies’ Chris Curry, who trailed in 1:25.25. Kevin Daley of Columbus Isles Arawaks got third in 1:25.26.

#Major, coming off his victory in the recent Bahamas Cycling Federaton’s National Championships, said he was prepared for the challenge that he faced in the games.

#“I didn’t have such a good race in the timed trials. I sort of used that as my motivation because I really came here to do well in the road race,” Major said.

#“I was really happy with the way I performed. Winning the title was extra special because we had a very good field of competitors and I knew I had to go for it if I wanted to win.”

#Curry, 32, admitted that he knew it would come down to a sprint and so he wanted to make sure he put himself in a position to be in contention.

#Unfortunately, he said Major got the jump on him and the rest of the field and when he tried to go after him, it was a little too late. He congratulated Major on his performance.

#On Sunday, Lorin Sawyer took the men’s timed trials back to Eleuthera as he crossed the line in 24.54 seconds, well ahead of Daley, who was second in 24.54. Jeff Tynes of New Providence was third in 25.13.

#“It was good. There was a pretty strong head wind, but the course was pretty good. We had a little struggle with the traffic, but Bahamian people are not letting up for anybody,” Sawyer said.

#“This was fun. It’s probably the best event I’ve been to in this country. We had a lot of cyclists, which is good to see for the production of the sport.”

#On the ladies’ side, it was a sweep for Grand Bahama’s Smobia Moreau as she captured the ladies’ time trials in 27.51. Moreau’s nearest rival was her team-mate from Grand Bahama Maria De Rose, who trailed in 28.51. Eleuthera Adventurers Marla Albury was third in 29.07.

#Mireau came back on Sunday and added the road race title to her ledger in 2:45.57 with her Lucayan’s team-mate Maria DeRosa taking second in 2:45.40. Marla Abury of Eleuthera came in third in 2:45.41.

#“I am still in shock. After winning the timed trials, I didn’t expect that I would come out and win the road race as well,” she said. “I give God all the thanks and praise. I also want to thank my husband, my coach, Mr (Kenton) Roker and the entire team from Grand Bahama for their support.”

#It was a clean sweep of the titles for Grand Bahamian Launy Duncombe in the boys 15-17 division, and New Providence’s Kami Roach and Taylor Knowles in the girls 15-17 and 12-14 divisions respectively, Long Island’s Lachlan Menzies and Lenin Hamilton shared the honours in the boys 12-14.

#Duncombe, coming off his triumph in the timed trials in 16.23, took the road race in 47.54.

#“I feel good about it. There were some things that I could have done better, but overall, it was a good ride,” Duncombe said. “I feel good about my overall performance.

#“I still have a little more work to do. I have to go back and put in the work. But it’s a great feeling for me being a double champion. That has never happened for me before.”

#After hearing about the Bahamas Games last year, Duncombe said he went full force into training because he wanted to be able to represent Grand Bahama to the best of his ability.

#Roach, one of the top female competitors in the country, emerged as the junior girls’ double champion in the timed trials in 18.35 and came back and completed the road race in 48.26. “I knew this was going to be a good meet and so I came prepared to compete,” Roach said. “I didn’t have any expectations other than to win. “I knew I was a little ahead of my competitors, but I still had to go out there and perform and that is what I did. I think I did very well in both the timed trials and the road race.”

#She said she wanted to use the meet to prepare for the CARIFTA triathlon coming up here in August. She noted that there’s still some work she needs to do, but she was pleased with her performances.

#Knowles, winner of the girls 12-14 timed trials in 12.00, was just as ecstatic about her double feat.

#“It was a very good feeling. I will definitely work towards doing it again at the next Bahamas games,” Knowles said.

#“I really enjoyed the timed trials because it was a lot shorter.

#“But it was a nice experience. I got to meet a lot of new friends. All around, it was a good experience for me.”

#After taking some time to compete in swimming before they closed out on Sunday, Hamilton got the chance to participate in the road race, which he comfortably won in 28.33.

#“My performance was alright. I felt I could have done a lot better if I didn’t have to swim yesterday (Sunday).

#“My legs were a little sore,” Hamilton said. “I am preparing for the CARIFTA triathlon, so this was good to get me ready for it.”

#While the CARIFTA Triathlon here in August is his next goal, Hamilton said he was just delighted to be able to compete in the Bahamas Games.

#“I was really excited about it,” said the 14-year-old Hamilton, who is preparing to enter grade nine at St Paul’s School in Grand Bahama. “I really enjoyed competing in the games.”

#Federation president Roy Colebrooke said the two days of competition was unbelievable.

#“Those who you thought would have won, got upset,” said Colebrooke, who also serves as the chairman of the New Providence Sports Council. “The entire two days of cycling was very exciting.

#“I’m grateful, most of all, that the event went off without any major incident. Safety is our first motto and we’re just thankful to our partners, the Police, the ambulance, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the athletes and coaches from around the Bahamas who helped to make this a success.